In the heart of Malta’s bustling Rabat, a woman sits in her family home, a place filled with memories, both joyous and haunting. Her name is Maria, and she’s on a mission to reopen a case that’s been closed for over two decades. The case of her brother, Twannie, and his friend, both convicted for a murder they insist they didn’t commit.

It was the summer of 1999 when the lives of Twannie and his friend were turned upside down. The body of a young woman was found in a field in Rabat, and the two men were soon arrested and charged with her murder. Despite maintaining their innocence, they were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

Years passed, and while the case seemed closed to the authorities, it remained painfully open for Maria and her family. Then, in 2018, a breakthrough. A DNA sample from the crime scene was found to be a match with a man who had since died in prison, convicted of another murder. This man was not Twannie or his friend.

Maria believes that a DNA test conducted at the time of her brother’s arrest could have proven their innocence. “We asked for it then, but it wasn’t done,” she says, her voice heavy with a mix of frustration and determination. “Now, we’re left with no choice but to fight for it.”

In 2020, Maria and her family filed a petition to have the case reopened. They’re seeking access to the original DNA evidence and a new trial. Their lawyer, Joe Giglio, argues that the new DNA evidence, coupled with the men’s alibis, could exonerate them.

Maria’s fight for justice has gained traction in Malta, with local politicians and human rights groups voicing their support. Yet, uncertainty lingers. The Attorney General’s office has yet to decide on the petition, leaving Twannie and his friend in limbo, their lives on hold for over 20 years.

Maria remains undeterred. “I won’t give up,” she says, her voice steady. “I’ll keep fighting until I see justice served. For Twannie, for his friend, and for the victim’s family, who deserve the truth.”